Powder Springs Messenger Powder Springs, GA
FLOOD INFORMATION BELOW FOR REFERENCE ONLY INFORMATION NO LONGER VALID
See Flood Information Below
Powder Springs Flood Victims Benefit Concert on Saturday, October 10th a real success, raising thousands of dollars for Powder Springs and Cobb County, GA Flood Victims!
Powder Springs, GA Flood Photo - Brownsville Road and Powder Springs Baseball Park Area (See more Flood Photos Below)
After the Flood: Cobb County Neighbors Reach Out to One Another The Center for Family Resources to Manage Cobb County Flood Relief Fund
On Thursday, September 24, The Center for Family Resources (CFR) hosted a Community Response to Flooding forum. The meeting brought together more than 76 representatives from human service organizations, local government and busi-nesses and faith-based groups to discuss ways to effectively and efficiently provide services to the Cobb County victims of historical flood devastation.
The forum came just one day after CFR was approached by the Cobb County Legislative Delegation to organize and manage a Cobb County Flood Relief Fund. Members of the delegation including Representatives Judy Manning, District 32 and Ed Setzler, District 35 attended the forum Thursday to encourage the collaborative efforts across the county.
“We are a community of one and it has hurt everyone, said Judy Manning. We are all impacted whether personally, our families or our neighbors. The members of the delegation are hoping this community will pull together, build good will and help each other.”
In Cobb County, preliminary reports show as many as 1,700 homes are lost or damaged. The water is believed to have crested above a 500-year flood level leading to countless homes and businesses without flood insurance suffering severe dam-age. Although a presidential disaster declaration has been made, when federal dollars begin to flow, the financial assistance available to homeowners will be in the form of low interest loans and grants funding only a portion of uninsured losses.
As a result, CFR is accepting cash donations through its website at www.TheCFR.org. Checks marked clearly with ‘Flood Relief’ can also be mailed to CFR at 995 Roswell Street, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30060.
“Since we were founded in 1960, CFR has been proud to be a collaborator,” CFR CEO Jeri Barr said. We know working together with our local nonprofit partners and providing the services each of our organizations are founded on, we can better serve those in need in this county quickly and effectively.”
Trained first responders are acting now. In a couple of weeks, the need will be great for individual and group volunteers to help further the effort. If you are interested in getting on a list to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Cain, CFR Development and Volunteer Coordinator at (770) 428-2601, extension 242 or JenniferCain@TheCFR.org.
Powder Springs, GA Museum and Powder Springs Baseball Park, 2009 Flood. Powder Springs Museum had several feet of water inside.
Disaster Recovery Center for Flood Victims
Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operated by the State of Georgia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened today in Cobb County for those affected earlier this week by severe storms and flooding.
The DRC is located at The Threadmill, 5000 Austell/Powder Springs Road, Suite 120 in Austell, and is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
People who suffered losses can get person-to-person assistance at the centers from specialists skilled in many disaster-related subjects.
Disaster officials ask that before visiting the centers, people first apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are staffed seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help in all languages is available.
Once registered, disaster recovery specialists at the recovery center can check an individual's case, answer questions about their claim, or review information needed to process their claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives will be at the DRC to answer any questions about the SBA's low-interest disaster loan program for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace real estate and/or personal property damaged by the storms and flooding.
Representatives will help complete and accept SBA disaster loan application. Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST, toll-free at 800-659-2955 for information and assistance, or visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sus-tain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
2009 Flood - Lancer Subdivision In Powder Springs, GA
American Red Cross Continues Sheltering and Feeding Efforts
Government Declares Additional Georgia Counties Federal Disaster Areas
Nearly 400 people stayed in American Red Cross shelters Thursday night in Georgia and Tennessee due to recent flooding. The Red Cross continues to provide shelter, food, mental health counseling and emotional support for residents throughout the affected areas in the Southeast, which includes Alabama and North Carolina.
On Friday, 13 Red Cross disaster assessment teams equipped with new technology systems - known as rapid data management systems – continued damage assessment in affected areas.
The Red Cross has sheltered more than 650 people
Has more than 200 staff and volunteers on the ground in affected areas to support the disaster caused needs of clients
Has 10 Emergency Response Vehicles serving as mobile and fixed site feeding stations and more on the way and Is working with emergency partners in the hard-hit communities of Marietta, Powder Springs and Austell to establish distribution centers for clean-up kits, comfort-kits, bottled water and other items that will be replenished throughout the day (from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) East Cobb Police Precinct #4 - 4400 Lower Roswell Road - Marietta, GA 30060
Power Springs Police Department - 4483 Pineview Drive - Powder Springs, GA 30127
Best Buy - 6875 Douglas Blvd. - Douglasville, GA 30135
Austell Community Center - 2725 Joe Jerkins Blvd. - Austell, GA 30106
President Barack Obama declared federal disaster areas in three additional counties in Georgia due to recent flooding. Four other counties were also declared marking seven of the 18 affected counties in Georgia as federal disaster areas – Chattooga, Carroll, Stephens, Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas and Paulding.
Officials say early estimates show as many as 3,000 homes may be affected with damages estimated at $250 million.
For continuous updates on Red Cross response, visit http://newsroom.redcross.org.
Help people affected by disasters like the current floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 1-800-REDCROSS ( 1-800-733-2767 1-800-733-2767 ) or 1-800-257-7575 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.
Lancer Drive in Lancer Subdivision in Powder Springs - Flood waters were several feet higher than shown in photo see water line mark on this home.
Powder Springs Mayor Pat Vaughn Letter to Residents Affected by the Flood
Dear Citizens of Powder Springs:
On Sunday September 20, 2009, the South Cobb area experienced what some are referring to as the “500 Year Flood”. Some of our citizens in Powder Springs lost their possessions and homes and for that I extend my heartfelt sympathy. I can’t imagine there is much worse than to experience a devastating flood of your property. We had a number of neighborhoods impacted by this flood and it is estimated that approximately ninety-one homes within the city limits of Powder Springs were affected by the flooding waters.
This flood has shown that our citizens are blessed with the most caring people. Many volunteers have put their lives on hold in order to help those in need of food, water, shelter, clean-up and repairs. Our citizens have received help from the First Baptist Church, Trinity Chapel, McEachern Methodist Church, Macland Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army. If you are interested in donating clothing, furniture and supplies, please contact The Center for Family Resources at 770-428-2601 or Sweetwater C.A.M.P. at 770-819-0662 for a listing of items that are needed.
I want to thank our employees in the Police Department and Public Works Department for their assistance in rescuing people from their homes. Many employees have spent countless hours of overtime during the past week and will spend nu-merous hours in the coming weeks with the clean-up and removal of flood debris. I ask that if you have the opportunity, please thank these employees for their dedication and hard work for our citizens.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency along with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency have a location in the Threadmill Mall on Old Austell Powder Springs Road. If you need to make an application for assistance you can do so by stopping by their location at the Threadmill Mall or on-line at www.fema.gov.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank U.S. Senator Johnny Isaakson for sending a senior staff member to survey the damage. Also, U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey spent time with me last Friday touring the city and observing the areas that were flooded. State Representative Don Wix, State Senator Steve Thompson and U.S. Congressman Scott have all called me to assure their support during this time.
Our City’s Museum suffered flood damage. Public Works’ employees along with Lowell Lovinggood, Chair of the Seven Springs Historical Society and Annie Koenke, the Museum Assistant as well as Jim Ross, a member of the Historical Society, spent time moving furniture and precious artifacts to the second floor before the water rose and destroyed the first floor. They asked me to be sure to tell our citizens that the Oral History Project was saved along with many of our other treas-ured pieces. The City had insurance that will cover the repairs for the Museum so we hope that it will soon reopen. City Hall suffered some damage but it is fairly minor.
I know all of the citizens look forward to our semi-annual Reside with Pride event. This fall’s Reside with Pride was scheduled for October 5-9. With the time involved with the clean-up of the flood damage, we have had to cancel and will reschedule for a later date.
A benefit concert in downtown Powder Springs was held on October 10th to help the flood victims. Please check our website for the time and exact location of the event. I ask that you come and support this event and enjoy time visiting with your fellow citizens.
In closing, I want to remind everyone that they can get the most up-to-date information on the City’s website, www.cityofpowdersprings.org. I also want to thank those who took the time to call me to express their concern and offers of assistance. Please remember those affected from this devastating flood in your prayers. As we did after the flood in 2005, Powder Springs will return even better than before.
Sincerely,
Patricia C. Vaughn, Mayor